Got a custom chip for it, removed the intake pre-filters, some throttle body tuning, super light fly wheel, Termi's, re-geared (two up in the rear if I remember right), spaced out the clutch cover, replaced the clutch slave, carbon bits here and there, Evans coolant... Very nice bike. So much fun in tight twisties and made so many great noises. I'm pretty sure everytime I was going at what I thought was ridiculous speed around corners the bike was whispering p$@sy to me It handled so nice.

I already have a chip. No idea what it is, but I have the paperwork to find out. I think I'll try to remove the baffles in the stock pipes before buying the Termis.

Any time Ev. I need to get it over to Dave Moss first. The bike is set up for a 155 pound rider. Hopefully a few clicks can fix it. I have a feeling I'll be swapping fork springs though.

Easier clutch pull and better seals. At least on my 2000 the clutch fluid would turn color pretty quick. I think that I did the Yoyodyne replacement slave and not only did it make the pull easier it stopped the fluid from changing. I needed to bleed out my rear brake a few times a season too. It was so easy to do I never bothered to upgrade or replace anything.

The intake and exhaust mostly buy you sound (a good thing) re-gearing it and dropping a light weight fly wheel in mine made the biggest differences. You'll get many opinions on the flywheel, I really liked how fast up and down the motor rev'd with the light flywheel in it. I think that motor is more fun that way.

I was very happy to hear you mentioned the clutch pull. I rode the bike yesterday and decided I would not be able to ride it as is. The clutch pull is retarded. I'm only willing to dedicate one finger for the clutch (dirtbiking thing) and the level is way too firm for this. I'm going to pursue the slave cylinder upgrade right away and some CRGs.

This weekend I picked up Dunlop Q2s, and yesterday I bought Leo Vince Slips-ons. After the clutch upgrade I'll do a 520 chain/sprocket and drop a tooth in the front. That will probably be it.

Thanks for the advice.

Ben, Isaac has the 1098 Hypermotard. I haven't ridden it, but he said it's insane.

I was very happy to hear you mentioned the clutch pull. I rode the bike yesterday and decided I would not be able to ride it as is. The clutch pull is retarded. I'm only willing to dedicate one finger for the clutch (dirtbiking thing) and the level is way too firm for this. I'm going to pursue the slave cylinder upgrade right away and some CRGs.

This weekend I picked up Dunlop Q2s, and yesterday I bought Leo Vince Slips-ons. After the clutch upgrade I'll do a 520 chain/sprocket and drop a tooth in the front. That will probably be it.

Thanks for the advice.

Ben, Isaac has the 1098 Hypermotard. I haven't ridden it, but he said it's insane.

Is there room to drop a tooth in the front? I don't remember what mine came with but I though it was pretty small to start with. I did the 520 chain but don't remember how many I went up in the rear.

I don't know what the current options for clutch slaves are, but my Yoyodyne one at the time was not a one finger pull deal with the stock lever.

Yup, I was just reading some threads. The yoyodyne sounds like it improves the pull slightly. I'm hoping to find something that makes a big difference. I don't understand why they have such a hard pull.

Duc's are definately at the top of my list is I was ever to upgrade my ride. I hope to someday, and have looked at them quite a bit. Went to work the other day at the beach, and there were 4 Duc's all together in a parking space. I could not bring myself to park my bike near them. One of the guys I work with showed up the other day at work, and parked his friend's 1198 right next to my R6. Not nice. Almost made me sell mine right there.

I love my R6, but will have to replace it someday. Getting up on miles. Love the sportbike for many reasons, but would definately have fun with the Hypermotard. Have seen the 1100, but the 749 would be sick too.

Are you planning on tracking the new ride? Just curious. A friend has a monster, but he does not track it, and has a dedicated GSXR for that. Would not want to see that sweet bike on the ground.

Wheels are definitely newer. Your bike should have 3 spokers that match the frame color. Not sure when they changed frame color. I think it was around '00. My Monster was a '97 also and had the gold frame.

My 2000 was that dark gold color, think the steel/grey was 2001 or later. You could get the 5 spoke wheels on the "S" versions.

So the next question is have the rockers been replaced or re-plated? My 2000 never had any issues, but some earlier models had the chrome coating on the rockers flake off. You'd see the flakes on the oil pan bolt's magnet when doing a change.

Yup, I'm familiar with that problem. I have all of the paperwork from Nicols, a respected shop in the area here. The rocker arms have been giving a clean bill of health, and the valves have been adjusted regularly. Last adjustment was 1000 miles ago.

I remember the first Ducati I had, and the second, and life is much better now without them. The closest dealer and mechanic that knew how to work on them was 2 hours away from me, and mine went in for service every 3,000 miles. It got valve adjustments, timing belts, and clutches. After hard backroad rides and trackdays, it was worn out....